[NEohioPAL]Berko review: BOYS NEXT DOOR (Porthouse)

[Roy Berko]

A TOUCHING ‘THE BOYS NEXT DOOR’ AT PORTHOUSE

Roy Berko

(Member, American Theatre Critics Association)

--THE TIMES NEWSPAPERS--

Lorain County Times--Westlaker Times--Lakewood News
Times--Olmsted-Fairview Times	


Tom Griffin's ‘THE BOYS NEXT DOOR,’ now on stage at
Porthouse Theatre, is the kind of play that in the
wrong hands could become an emotional disaster.  The
story of four developmentally disabled men living in a
communal apartment, under the supervision of a social
worker, walks the fine line between drama and comedy. 
If it is presented as a farce, a potentially rewarding
experience becomes a mockery.  

In the play we meet the men who are living under the
supervision of an earnest, but increasingly "burned
out" young social worker named Jack.  Norman, who
works in a doughnut shop and is unable to resist the
lure of the sweet pastries, takes great pride in the
huge bundle of keys which dangles from his waist;
Lucien P. Smith has the mind of a 5-year-old, but
imagines that he is able to read and comprehend the
weighty books he lugs about; Arnold is the hyperactive
ringleader and compulsive chatterer, who suffers from
deep-seated insecurities and a persecution complex;
while Barry, a schizophrenic who is devastated by the
rejection of his brutal father, fantasizes that he is
a golf pro.  These four, as is true of all of us, want
only to love and laugh and find some meaning and
purpose in life.

When it opened off-Broadway the production received
positive reviews.  Written commentaries stated that
the play "hits squarely on the truth of life,” that it
was  “the most unusual and one of the most rewarding
plays in Town” and that it was “a sensitive play that
can be funny and touching at the same time."  In spite
of this, the show didn’t garner the crowds it should
have.  It was felt the reason was that many were
nervous about laughing at the mentally challenged or
couldn’t believe that someone could write a play about
these people which didn’t mock them.   I was not among
the doubters and found the show then and now to be
both a delightful and rewarding experience.

"Boys" is particularly challenging for the performers
and director as they work to present the characters as
human beings rather than as stereotypes.  There is a
fine line between laughing with and laughing at that
must never be crossed. Even more, there are moments of
 loving tenderness juxtaposed with just plain
silliness that test the actors’ and director’s
adaptability and concentration.

Porthouse Theatre’s fine production, under the
direction of John Woodson, is right on course.  Under
his guidance the excellent cast has found a way to
walk the tight-rope that allows for empathy without
ridiculing the plight of the intellectually and
psychologically impaired.

The ensemble cast is superb.  Brian Zoldessy develops
a high-tensed Arnold that we can laugh with, not at. 
The character’s hyper-hysteria is made endearing with
a consistent and creative character development.  

Hollis Hayden, Jr.’s Lucien P. Smith becomes an
adult-child whose very essence makes for heart-ripping
reality.  This is a finely tuned performance.  I defy
anyone not to be touched by the character’s
presentation before a Senate committee that is
attempting to force him into being something he is
not.  

Church Richie gives an award winning performance as
the donut desiring Norman.   Richie’s scenes with the
wonderful Megan Elk, portraying Sheila, the love of
Norman’s life, are amusing, believable and tender.

Andrew Cruse so well portrays Barry one wonders early
in the play why he is in the group home.  It is only
after we are exposed to the rejection by his feared,
yet revered father’s visit that we truly gain
understanding.  The father-son scene is emotionally
wrenching.

Michael Anderson has the difficult role of being the
rational character in the play.  Rational from the
standpoint of being mentally and psychologically
normal, but in reality searching for who he really is
after suffering a marital tragedy.  Anderson is
excellent, especially in the final scene when the
effects of leaving his irritating yet lovable “guys”
becomes a reality.

Ben Needham’s set design sometimes leads to place
confusion as areas flow together but that is aided by
Paul Denayer’s lighting which often helps clarify. 
Chaela Schmidt’s costumes help enhance the
characterizations.

CAPSULE JUDGEMENT:  As Jack and his boys face the ups
and downs of daily life, we all discover the magic of
laughter and the power of love in Porthouse Theatre’s
fine production of ‘THE BOYS NEXT DOOR.”

The show runs Tuesdays through Saturday evenings and
Sunday matinees through July 2 3at the Porthouse
Theatre, located on the grounds of the Blossom Music
Center in Cuyahoga Falls.  The 500-seat, outdoor,
covered pavilion theatre is a wonderful setting. 
There isn’t a bad seat in the house.  For tickets,
which range in price from $18 to $24, with special
prices for students and seniors,  call 1-800-304-2363
or 330-929-4416 or visit www.porthousetheatre.com.

Porthouse’s final production of the season is WEST
SIDE STORY from July 28 - August 14.



Roy Berko's web page can be found at www.royberko.info.  His theatre and dance reviews appear on NeOHIOpal, an on-line source.   To subscribe to this free service via the World Wide Web, visit http://lists.fredsternfeld.com/mailman/listinfo/neohiopal.


		
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>From jfogel at clevelandplayhouse.com" <jfogel at clevelandplayhouse.com  Fri Jul  8 18:20:55 2005
From: jfogel at clevelandplayhouse.com" <jfogel at clevelandplayhouse.com (Julie Fogel)
Date: Fri, 8 Jul 2005 13:20:55 -0400
Subject: [NEohioPAL]Cleveland Playhouse - World Premiere
Message-ID: <01C583BF.E019B320.jfogel at clevelandplayhouse.com>

-----Original Message-----
From:	Julie Fogel
Sent:	Thursday, July 07, 2005 10:51 AM
To:	'Justin Tatum'
Cc:	Merlin DeTardo; Joe Martin
Subject:	RE: [NEohioPAL]Cleveland Playhouse - World Premiere

Hi Justin,
Could you please revise your posting re: "Plans Change"? The subject line 
reads as if The Cleveland Play House is producing this play and we are not 
involved with this production. 4th Wall Productions is producing the world 
premiere of Matthew Sprosty's play. The Play House is simply providing 
space in our facility.
Thank you in advance for providing this clarifcation,
Julie Fogel
Associate Director of Marketing & Communications
The Cleveland Play House
216-795-7000 ext. 236
jfogel at clevelandplayhouse.com


-----Original Message-----
From:	Justin Tatum [SMTP:justin_tatum at hotmail.com]
Sent:	Wednesday, July 06, 2005 1:38 PM
To:	neohiopal at lists.fredsternfeld.com
Subject:	[NEohioPAL]Cleveland Playhouse - World Premiere

 << File: ATT00015.html >> 


>From mdetardo at clevelandplayhouse.com" <mdetardo at clevelandplayhouse.com  Thu Jul  7 14:49:07 2005
From: mdetardo at clevelandplayhouse.com" <mdetardo at clevelandplayhouse.com (Merlin DeTardo)
Date: Thu, 7 Jul 2005 09:49:07 -0400
Subject: [NEohioPAL]Position Available:  Assistant to the General Manager
Message-ID: <01C582D9.21E07740.mdetardo at clevelandplayhouse.com>

The Cleveland Play House seeks an Assistant to the General Manager.  This 
is a part-time position (25 hours/week).  Duties include assisting with: 
 facility scheduling, rental event coordination and contract preparation. 
 Requires proficiency in Microsoft Word and Excel.  To apply, send resume 
and cover letter to Merlin DeTardo, General Manager, The Cleveland Play 
House, 8500 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH  44106 or e-mail to 
mdetardo at clevelandplayhouse.com.   No calls please.